The Best of Costa Rica
10 Days Starting and ending in San Jose, Costa Rica
Visiting: San Jose, San José, Guápiles, Tortuguero National Park, Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Arenal, Lake Arenal, Monteverde, Puntarenas, Tortuga Island
Tour operator:
Tour code:
453564
Guide Type:
Partially Guided
Age range:
10-99
Tour operated in:
English , SpanishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on "The Best of Costa Rica" tour, a captivating journey through the country's most stunning natural wonders. Begin in San Jose, then venture to Tortuguero, a renowned ecotourism hotspot, where you'll explore its intricate network of canals and witness the magic of turtle hatching. Continue to Arenal, home to the majestic Arenal Volcano, where lush jungles offer a serene backdrop for relaxation and wellness. In Monteverde, immerse yourself in the unique cloud forest, teeming with diverse wildlife and thrilling adventure activities. Conclude your adventure with a day cruise to the idyllic Tortuga Island, where white sandy beaches and turquoise waters await. This tour offers a perfect blend of nature, adventure, and relaxation, with comfortable accommodations and guided experiences to enhance your Costa Rican escape.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : ARRIVAL SAN JOSE (18km – 30min)
Location: San Jose
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sleep Inn Hotel or similar
Welcome to Costa Rica. A local representative will greet you and assist you at the airport. Shared transfer from airport to the hotel in San Jose. Check-in at the hotel and then enjoy leisure time to refresh, relax and get comfortable at your hotel room. Explore by your own the city and its surroundings.
Overnight at San Jose.
Day 2 : SAN JOSÉ – TORTUGUERO (117km – 3.5hrs by land / 1.5hr by boat)
Location: San José, Guápiles, Tortuguero National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Turtle Beach Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Early check-out from the hotel. Around 6:00 am a local representative will pick you up at the hotel lobby and take you on a shared transfer to your next destination: Tortuguero National Park, located in the North Caribbean Coast. On the way, around 8:30 am there will be a stop for breakfast in Guápiles city and then continue to La Pavona dock, where you will board a boat shared with others guests, that will take you to the lodge where you will immerse yourself in a perfectly quiet, laid back and tranquil stay. Around 1:00 pm, check-in and enjoy a delightful lunch (included). Afterwards, around 2:30 pm, meet your guide for an expedition through the Tortuguero Canals, a must activity while you are in Costa Rica. Explore the lagoons and hidden canals; as you go deeper into the forest the canals become smaller and the surrounding wildlife gets closer. Rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Day 3 : TORTUGUERO
Location: Tortuguero
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Turtle Beach Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast at the hotel. Around 9:00 am meet your guide to discovering nature by taking a walk through the Lodge’s private trails. Enjoy free time in the morning to cool off in the pool and simply relax. Later this day, around 2:30 pm join to the guide and visit the small and picturesque village of Tortuguero. Afterwards, return to the Lodge to relax. Lunch and dinner included at the Lodge.
Overnight in Tortuguero.
Day 4 : TORTUGUERO – ARENAL (174km – 3.5hrs / 1.5hr by boat)
Location: Tortuguero, Guápiles, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Casa Luna Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Breakfast at the lodge and check-out. Around 9:30 am be ready to depart on a shared transfer by boat and land from Tortuguero to the Restaurant located in Guápiles city, where you will enjoy the lunch (included). After lunch, around 1:30 pm, meet a local representative that will take you on a shared transfer to your next destination: La Fortuna de San Carlos, home of the wonderful Arenal Volcano. Upon arrival, around 4:00 pm, check-in at the hotel in La Fortuna and free time to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities.
Overnight in Arenal.
Day 5 : ARENAL
Location: Arenal
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Casa Luna Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast included at the hotel. Enjoy leisure time to simply relax or explore the Arenal region on your own.
Overnight in Arenal.
Day 6 : ARENAL – MONTEVERDE (80km – 1.5 by land / 1.5hr by boat)
Location: Arenal, Lake Arenal, Monteverde
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Country Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Around 7:30 am a local representative will meet you up at the hotel lobby and take you to your next destination: Monteverde Cloudforest Region. This transfer will be by boat crossing the Lake Arenal until reaching Rio Chiquito and then continue by land to the hotel in Monteverde area. Upon arrival, around noon, check-in at the hotel in Monteverde, enjoy free time to relax and discover the natural beauty of this destination on your own.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 7 : MONTEVERDE
Location: Monteverde
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Country Lodge or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day to explore the wonders of Monteverde, such as its biological reserves, experience a Zipline adventure flying over the treetop forest canopy, walk through the suspension bridges or enjoy some cultural experience like a coffee tour or a Costa Rican cooking class.
Overnight in Monteverde.
Day 8 : MONTEVERDE – SAN JOSE (145km – 3.5hrs)
Location: Monteverde, San Jose
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sleep Inn Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Around 8:00 am meet a local representative at the hotel lobby for the shared transfer to San Jose. Upon arrival, around noon, check-in at the hotel in San Jose and enjoy free time to relax or go to explore the capital city on your own.
Overnight in San Jose.
Day 9 : SAN JOSE – TORTUGA ISLAND – SAN JOSE (98km – 2hrs / 2 HOURS – 1.5hr by catamaran)
Location: San Jose, Puntarenas, Tortuga Island
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sleep Inn Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Around 6:00 am meet a local representative at the hotel lobby for a one day experience to Tortuga Island, located in the Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas Province (available only on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Breakfast on the way. You will arrive at Puntarenas city where you will board a catamaran that will take you through the ocean admiring incredible landscapes while enjoying music and some tropical snacks on board. Arrive at the charming Tortuga Island. Once there, enjoy the beach, its turquoise waters, sunbathe and relax! Lunch is served on the beach. Around 3:00 pm, get ready to return to San Jose enjoying the sunset aboard the catamaran and then continue by land.
Overnight in San Jose.
Day 10 : DEPARTURE SAN JOSE (18km – 30min)
Location: San Jose, Juan Santamaria International Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. At the agreed time, a local representative will pick you up at the lobby and take you on shared transportation to Juan Santamaria International Airport to take your flight back home.
What's Included
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Tour Guide
Operated with English and Spanish-speaking guides only during included activities. Local guides will accompany you for the activities only.
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Transport
Arrival and departure shared transfers from/to Juan Santamaria Airport. Shared transfers between areas throughout the itinerary, including land and boat transfers, and Lake Crossing Arenal – Monteverde.
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Entrance Fees and Activities
All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary are included, such as guided visits to Tortuguero National Park, a guided morning walk in Tortuguero, a guided visit to Tortuguero Village, and a One Day Tour to Tortuga Island in Catamaran.
What's Not Included
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Unmentioned Services
Services not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included.
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Departure Taxes
Departure taxes are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees are not included.
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Personal Expenditures
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks, and meals or items not stated explicitly in the programme are not included.
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Drinks and Fees
Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, and camera/video camera fees (if any) are not included.
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Optional Tours
Optional tours and activities are not included.
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Porterage and Gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc., are not included.
Requirements
Comfortable and light and quick dry clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Costa Rica. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, tennis shoes, hiking shoes, sandals, sweater, raincoat or jacket, bathing suit, a hat or cap and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.Please Note
- Tortuga Island tour (on Day 9) operates only on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
- The order of activities in Tortuguero may vary according to the season and the disposition of the hotel
- The start times and durations of excursions as well as transfers are approximate
- In many hotels in Costa Rica, the triple rooms are a double room with an additional bed or sofa bed. Their comfort conditions are lower than the international standards of the triple room
- Hotel early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed
- No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed
- We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
Accommodation options
Day 1, 8-9 San Jose:
- Standard Hotel Category = Sleep Inn Hotel or similar 3*
- Standard Hotel Category = Pachira Lodge or similar 3*
- Standard Hotel Category = Casa Luna Hotel & Spa or similar 3*
- Standard Hotel Category = Country Lodge or similar 3*
Mode of Transport
Travel conveniently with shared transfers from Juan Santamaria Airport and between destinations, including land and boat transfers. Experience a scenic lake crossing from Arenal to Monteverde and enjoy a catamaran ride to Tortuga Island, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable journey throughout Costa Rica.Accommodation
Enjoy 9 nights of comfortable accommodation in Costa Rica, staying at standard hotels and lodges. Experience the Sleep Inn Hotel in San Jose, Turtle Beach Lodge in Tortuguero, Casa Luna Hotel & Spa in Arenal, and Country Lodge in Monteverde, all offering a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.Accommodation options
Day 1, 8-9 San Jose:
- Standard Hotel Category = Sleep Inn Hotel or similar 3*
- Standard Category = Turtle Beach Lodge or similar (Lodge Standard)
- Standard Hotel Category = Casa Luna Hotel & Spa or similar 3*
- Standard Category = Country Lodge or similar (Lodge Standard)
Check out our Q&As
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What languages are the tour guides fluent in during the activities?
The tour guides are fluent in English and Spanish during the included activities.
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Are meals included during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners.
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What type of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides shared transfers from and to Juan Santamaria Airport, shared transfers between areas throughout the itinerary by land and boat, and a lake crossing from Arenal to Monteverde.
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Are entrance fees and activities included in the tour package?
Yes, all entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary are included, such as the guided visit to Tortuguero National Park, a guided morning walk in Tortuguero, a guided visit to Tortuguero Village, and a one-day tour to Tortuga Island in a catamaran.
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Is there a specific dress code or clothing recommendation for the tour?
Comfortable, light, and quick-dry clothing is recommended. Visitors should avoid sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious, or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, tennis shoes, hiking shoes, sandals, a sweater, raincoat or jacket, bathing suit, a hat or cap, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during the stay.
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What should I know about the Tortuga Island tour?
The Tortuga Island tour operates only on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client´s arrival
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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Low Deposit
Destination Services Costa Rica requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services costa rica charges.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
